Elijah, the Widow and Hospice

1 Kings 17:7-16 The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the LORD said to Elijah:  “Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you.”

He left and went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.”

Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’ ”

She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Two people, with nothing material to give, are led by God to one another. One has abundant listening skills, and clarity, to hear the voice of God, but no one is willing to listen to him and his message. The other has a generous heart, but is impoverished and widowed; she has a beloved son, but not enough food to sustain them, and is resigned to die in poverty.
 
They are brought together, and they are both sustained in spite of their poverty and loss.

This reading about Elijah got me thinking about the old days, growing up as a Christian Scientist. I've read Elijah stories many times, and back in those days, was given Mary Baker Eddy's interpretation of the Bible stories (there is no personal pastor in Christian Science churches, since the Bible and Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures are considered to be the pastor of the church).

Psalm 16:1b-2ab, 4, 5ab and 8, 11
R. (1b) Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
They multiply their sorrows who court other gods. Blood libations to them I will not pour out, nor will I take their names upon my lips.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
O LORD, my allotted portion and cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

I've pondered how to see that word, "safe" for the past few years, since in my earlier life (as a Christian Scientist), I would have interpreted "safe" as "deliverance from harm." Yet in Psalm 23, King David says, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." That sounds as if harm can get pretty close to us, and now, I know that it can. Yet we are assured that God is with us, right in the very next lines of the psalm.

This makes me think of our dear Hospice nurse, Amy Getter. Amy was an ICU nurse, and she has been a hospice nurse for many years. She took the most tender care of Katie and our family, and she made what was a terrifying time feel "safer." She brought an abundance of skills, and deep faith, with which to accompany us. Amy has recently written a beautiful book about what she has learned in her career. I received a signed copy from Amy in the mail, along with a card. In the card, Amy pointed out that one of the four people to whom the book was dedicated is Katie - our Katie. I was absolutely amazed, and so very thankful that Katie has touched Amy's life in this way. Amy certainly touched Katie's and our lives, and she made what I think is the hardest job in the world, easier for all us.

I am thankful that, in the good times, and in the hardest parts of our lives - even in "the valley of the shadow of death" - God sends His people to be with one another and to help one another. He blesses us, and we bless each other. Thanks be to God!